Moving-picture machine.



v A. F. VICTOR... MOVING PICTURE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED IEB.14,1910.

976,954. Patented Nov. 29, 1910.

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A. F. VICTOR. MOVING PICTURE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED PEB.14,1910.

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lgg llmmnum flinewm W 1 G 2 ){voM (Mammy? Fa a A. F. VICTOR. MOVING PICTURE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED I'EB.14, 1910.

976,954. Patented Nov. 29, 1910.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

A. P. VICTOR. MOVING PICTURE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED IEB.14,1910.

976,954. Patented Nov. 29, 1910.

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UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER FERDINAND VICTOR, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

I MOVING-PICTURE MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. P t nt d N 29, 191 0.

Application filed February 14, 1910. Serial NO."'543,749.

ble of either taking pictures of moving objects or projecting such pictures upon a screen with equal facility.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an invention of this character which is so constructed, that it is capable of performing its functions by means of simple and easily controlled mechanism, the parts of which are of such dimensions and occupy such a limited space that they'can be assembled within a comparatively small case or housing, and the whole easily transported by hand from place to place. A

Another object is to provide a simple and effective mechanism for rotating-the circular-films for manipulating which my improvements are particularly adapted and at the same time movin the axis of said films laterally for the pui pose of taking the photographs u-pon'or projecting the same from the film in spiral progrssion through the lense-opening.

Another object of my invention is to pro-j vide a suitable finder capable of reflecting the objects it is sought to" photograph without inversion, which can be moved out of the way when the pictures on the film are being projected.

- Still another object of my invention is to hold the portion of the film upon which the picture is being taken or from which the picture-is being projected, stationary, during the performance of these functions.

' Theseand other objects I accomplish by the means hereinafter fully described and as particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is a rear elevation of my invention showing the cover opened and a portion of the film holder broken away to expose to view a art of the operative mechanism of the mac ine. 'Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a portion of the machine showing the door of the chamber in which film actuating mechanism is contained, open. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on dotted line 3, 3, Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 4 1s a vertical section taken on dotted line ft, 4, Fig. 1,' looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 5' is a horizontal section taken on dotted line 5, 5, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the shutter mechanism. Fig. 7 is a section of the film holder. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatical .view illustrating the action and operation of the film and the actuating devices used in connection therewith.

Referring to the drawings A represents a suitable case, which is preferably rectangular and has its interior divided into two compartments by a vertical longitudinal partition a. The back of the case is prefer- 1 ably hinged to the side thereof opposite that near which the lens is located and is constructed so as to be locked when it is closed.

- The partition-1a is located so .as'to pirovide a practically square compartment, one side of which is bounded by the wall Z) of the case to which the back is hinged, and both the said partition, and the inner surface of this wall I) are provided with vertical cleats so as to provide grooves in which the vertical edges of a vertically removable filmholder B are adapted to slide, when said holder is inserted in place in the said compartment or withdrawn therefrom through a. laterally elongated slot in the top of the case. When this film-holder B is in its proper position within the case its lower edge rests on the bot-tom of the case.

The film-holder B, 'ust referred to preferably consists of a wooden rectangular slide, the sides of which consist of corresponding wooden plates, 0, c, that are separated a slight distance apart, and have their edges next the bottom, the wall 6 and the top of case, connected by suitable strips of wood or other material. The strip d connecting'the upper edges of these plates is the film-holder are provided on the inner:

opposing surfaces thereof with transverse horizontal grooves e, e, that extend from the open side of the film holder to a point past the center of width of the same, and are adapted to be engaged by the upper and lower studs 6, e, of a carrier E, for .the circular film F, which latter constitutes the subject-matter of an application for Letters Patent ofthe United States, filed by me J anuary 28, 1910, No. 540,541. One of the studs of carrier E is extended through the central opening in the film, and when it is desired to move said film laterally to bring it into proper position back of the lens-opening, said carrier is moved laterally by means of a slotted arm G, the upper end of which is secured to a spindle 9, that is journaled in suitable bearings in the top strip d of the film-holder. One end of spindle g extends through it's bearings and is bent so as to afford a finger-grasp h, which, when the film is wholly within the holder will be parallel with the top of the case, substantially as shown in the drawings.

The partition a of the case is provided with a vertical slot 2, which registers withv the opening between the plates at the open side of the film-holder, and between the said partition a and the side-edge of the case, opposite that to which the back is hinged, the compartment is divided into a front and rear section by a vertical partition 3 arranged parallel to the front of the case, just in front of slot 2. This partition 3 is provided, at a short distance from partition a, with an opening 4 through which the pictures are thrown upon the screen orfrom which they are projected, and when it is desired to move the circular film F the finger-grasp h is moved so as to swing slotted arm G toward the partition (1 and thereby cause carrier E together with the circular-film F engaged thereby to move through slot 2 until the portion of the film it is desired to expose back of the lens opening 4, is in proper position.

In order to keep the portion of this film back of opening 4, stationary, and prevent any vibration or shiftin thereof, it is en gaged on either side 0 said opening by tension-rollers 5. These tension-rollers are journaled in the ends of arms 6, 6, which latter are secured to and project from a rock-shaft 7 that is engaged by a torsionalspring 8 near its bearings, that causes said rollers to normally press against 'the film. This rock-shaft 7 is journaled in suitable bearings in partition a and in the adjacent side-wall of the case and extends through the latter and has a milled knob or other suitable means attached to its outer end, with which to lock it.

As explained in the pending application for patent for the rotatable film, hereinbefore referred to, the film F is provided with a spirally arranged series of small perforations, 9, and the pictures on these films are arranged between the coils of this spiral.

These perforations 9 are engaged by a pick 10, which latter, preferably, consists of a screw tapped through and adjustable in the adjacent end of a vertical beam 11, located in the front section of the compartment in which the actuating mechanism is placed parallel with the partition a. Near its upper end this beam is engaged by a wrist pin '12 projecting from a small wheel 13 on the adjacent end of a horizontal shaft 14, and the lower end of said beam is slotted and has sliding engagement with a stud l5 projecting laterally from bracket 16, which latter is secured to and projects rearwardly from partition 3. Shaft 14 is journaled in suitable bearings near wheel 13, and also in or near the adjacent side of the case; and is provided with a pinion 17 next said side, that is engaged by a large gear 18 mounted upon the lnner end of a spindle that is also journaled in the side of the case and has on its outer end a removable handle 19 with which to turn it. \Vhen handle 19 is turned shaft 14 rotates rapidly and the beam 11 reciprocates like a pitman and so that the pick carried by its upper end will pass through a slotted opening 20 in partition 3 and its point will engage during a portion -of the cycle of its movement the perforations 9 in the film consecutively and rotate said film and at the same time draw the same laterally toward the lens-opening 4,-so as to bring the picture or the surfaces upon which the pictures are to be taken successively back of said opening in their regular progression. This lateral movement of the film is due to the fact that the beam 11 is arranged at a tangent to a circle struck from the center of the film and the point of the pick engages the openings at a point intersected by the horizontal plane intersecting the center of the film, and, when it reciprocates, it moves straight downward from this point and shifts the plate sidewise a distance corresponding to the difference inthe radius between the center of the film of the next opening of said series. At the inner end of the spiral series of perforations the film is provided with a segmentally elongated or enlarged opening 21. t 4

Betweenits bearings shaft 14 has a small mitered pinion 22 mounted thereon, which engages a pinion 23 on the adjacent end of a spindle 25 j ournaled in a suitable frame 24 and extending horizontally at right angles to shaft 14. The forward end of spindle 25 extends through a sheet metal plate 26 forming the front of the front section of the chamber in which the actuating beam 11 operates, and its forward extremity has a circular shutter 29 secured thereon, consisting of an opaque plate, preferably of gutta percha, which has a segmental slot 27 therein, which as said shutter revolves, alternately opens and closes the opening 28 in said cover from the rear of which an alining tube extends toward partition 3, which is concentric with the opening 28 and with the lens-opening 4. v

In the front of the case, in alinement with the exposure opening 4 in partition 3 is a screw-threaded opening in which a suitable lens 30 can be removably secured and in the hinged back of the case there is another opening 31 in which the tubular casing 32 of a suitable electric or other lamp 33 is secured, when the machine is used for projecting the pictures from the film to a screen. I also employ a picture finder which consists of a suitable tube 34the upper end of which extends through the top of the case and is provided with a cap 40 that screws over the same to keep it closed when not in use. This tube depends down into the rear section of the exposure chamber in the vertical plane of the exposure opening 4: in partition 3, and another tube 35 is arranged telescopically over the lower depending end of tube 34: that is adjusted by means of a set-screw 36. The lower tube 35 passes through a guide strap 37 secured. to and projecting from a cross bar 38, and its lower end is bent toward partition 3, at right angles to its length and in the angle thereof a suitable mirror 39 is placed, that reflects the image of the object within the focus of the lensup so that the picture may be seen in the upper end of the tube. The lower tube of this finder is adjustable up out of the way when the machine is in use either takin pictures or pro ect1ng the same.

What I claim as new is 1. A moving picture machine comprising a film-holder having bearings for the axial elements of the film and means for moving the said axial elements in and out of said film holder.

2. A moving picture machine comprising a film-holder having immovable opaque sides bearings for the axial member of the film, and means for moving said axial members in and out of said holder.

.3. A moving picture machine comprising a film-holder having immovable sides, laterally elongatedbearings for the axial member of the film, and means for moving said axial members in and out of said holder.

4. A moving picture machine comprising a film-holder having immovable sides and laterally elongated bearings for the axial member of said film, and a carrier having journaling members which are adapted to be seated and move laterally'in said bearings.

5. A moving. picture machine comprising a film-holder having immovable sides, laterally elongated bearings for the axial elements of the film, and an arm pivoted in the edge of said holder and adapted to engage the axial element of the film and move the same laterally in saidbearinge.

6. A moving picture machine comprising a film-holder having immovable sides, laterally elongated bearings for the axial ele-H the film, and an arm pivoted at one end in the edge of said holder and having an elongated slot .in its opposite endand adapted to engage said carrier and move it laterally.

8. A moving picture machine comprising a suitableca se, a film holder bodily removable from said case and having bearings for a rotatable film that extend from the center tothe open edge of said holder.

9. A moving picture machine comprising a film-holder having bearingsfor a rotatable film, and devices exterior to said holder that directly engage said film and impart an intermittentrotative movement thereto.

10. A moving picture machine comprising a film holder having suitable bearings for a rotatable film, and devices exterior to said holder that directly engage said film and simultaneously impart an intermittent ro- I tative and sidewise movement thereto.

11. A moving picture machine comprising a film-holder provided with suitable bear ings for a rotatable film having a curved series of perforations therein, of a pick adapted to engage said perforations, and imloo part an intermittent rotative movement to said film.

12. A moving picture machine comprising means for journaling the axial elements of a rotatable film contained therein, a pick operating in a plane tangential to the center' of the film and adapted to engage perforations in said film.

13. A moving picture machine comprising a case having a film compartment and an exposure compartment separated therefrom by a partition having a slit-extending transversely therein through which said film is" and an exposure compartment separated therefrom by a partition havlng a slit extending transversely therein, a film-holder removably retained in said film comparti -ment and havlng the side next thereto open,

and communicable with said slit, and means in said exposure compartment for rotating and moving said film sideWise.

16. A moving picture machine comprising a case having a film compartment and an exposure compartment separated therefrom by a partition having a slit extending transversely therein through which said film is adapted to move, a pick adapted to engage the perforations in said film and rotate the same.

17. A moving picture machine comprising means for centering a rotatable film, a reciprocal bar movable in a plane tangential to the center of said film, and a pick carried in the end thereof, and adapted to engage perforations in said film.

18. A moving picture machine comprising means for centering a rotatable film, a reciprocal bar movable in a plane tangential to the center of said film, and an adjustable pick carried in the end thereof and adapted to engage perforations in said film.

19. =A moving picture machine comprising means for centering a rotatable film, a reciprocal bar movable in a plane'tangential to the center of said fihn, a pick carried in the end thereof and adapted to engage perforations in said film, a Wheel having a wrist-pin engaging said bar, a shaft on the end of Which said wheel is secured and means for-revolving the same.

20. A moving picture machine comprising a case having a film compartment and an exposure compartment separated therefrom by a partition having a slit extending transversely 'therethrough, a. partition dividing the exposure compartment into a front and rear section having an exposure opening therein means for pressing the exposed portion of the film back of said opening and mechanism for rotating the film back of said opening.

21. A moving picture machine comprising a case having a film compartment and an exposure compartmentseparated therefrom by a partition having a slit extending transversely therethrougln'apartition dividing the exposure compartment into a front and rear section having an exposure opening therein, spring actuated means for pressing the exposed portion of the film back of said opening and mechanism for rotating the film back of said opening.

22. A moving picture machine comprising a case having a film compartment and an exposure compartment separated therefrom by a partition having a slit extending transversely therethrough, a partition dividing the exposure compartment into a front and rear section having an exposure opening therein, means consisting of a rock-shaft. a torsional spring. engaging the same, and arms projecting from said rock-shaft for pressing the exposed portion of the fil'm back of said opening and mechanism for rotating the film back of said opening.

23. A moving picture machine comprising a case having a film compartment and an exposure compartment separated therefrom by a partition having a slit extending transversely therethrough, a partition dividing the exposure compartment into a front and rear section having an exposure opening therein, a. rotatable pick adapted to move through a suitable opening in said last mentioned partition, andengage and rotate the film on the other side thereof, and a pressure member for pressing the exposed portions of the film back of the exposure opening.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto setmy hand this ninth day of February 1910.

ALEXANDER FERDINAND VICTOR.

Witnesses:

T. M. FOWLER, K. M. BEDDING. 

